What to Expect at Your Child's Occupational Therapy Evaluation

Every therapy journey at Lakeside begins with a comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes, it looks a lot like play to your child, and you leave with a written report and a clear plan — whether or not you decide to continue with us.

Step 1 — The first conversation

Before anything is scheduled, we talk. You describe what you are seeing and what is hard at home or at school, and we tell you honestly whether occupational therapy is likely to be the right fit.

Sometimes the answer is a referral somewhere else. That is a perfectly good outcome for a phone call, and we would rather tell you early than take an evaluation fee for something we cannot help with.

Step 2 — The evaluation

During the evaluation we will:

  • Discuss your concerns and your goals for your child
  • Review your child's developmental history
  • Assess primitive reflexes, fine motor, visual-motor, sensory processing, strength, coordination, attention, and daily living skills
  • Identify your child's strengths as well as their areas of need
  • Develop an individualized treatment plan
  • Answer your questions and explain every recommendation

To your child, most of this looks like playing. That is deliberate — children show you what they can actually do when they are engaged, not when they are being tested.

Step 3 — The written report

You receive a detailed written report with personalized recommendations and measurable goals. It is written to be usable — by you, by your child's pediatrician, and by their school team if you choose to share it.

Step 4 — Therapy

Following your child’s occupational therapy evaluation, recommendations will be made regarding the frequency and length of therapy sessions based on your child’s individual needs, goals, and areas of participation.

We also understand that every family is different. Scheduling, finances, school commitments, travel, and other family needs may influence what therapy looks like. We will work collaboratively with you to develop a plan that is both clinically appropriate and realistic for your family.

Sessions may be offered in 30 or 60-minute appointments, with frequency individualized to your child. Recommendations may also change over time as your child progresses, goals evolve, or your family’s needs change.

Caregiver education is an important part of our therapy approach. We strive to provide families with practical strategies, activities, and recommendations that can be incorporated into everyday routines. When appropriate, caregivers may be encouraged to participate in sessions so they can better understand the strategies being used and support carryover at home.

Our goal is not simply to work on skills during a therapy session, but to help children and families use those skills successfully in everyday life. We aim to create a therapy plan that supports meaningful progress while fitting the needs of the whole family.

Step 5 — Reassessment and Discharge

Occupational therapy is designed to support your child in developing skills that improve participation and independence in everyday life. Our goal is not for children to remain in therapy indefinitely, but to help them make meaningful progress and provide families with the tools and strategies they need to continue supporting their child outside of therapy.

Your child’s progress will be monitored throughout treatment, and goals and recommendations will be reassessed periodically. As your child progresses, therapy may be adjusted by modifying goals, decreasing session frequency, transitioning to a consultation or caregiver-coaching model, taking a therapeutic break, or preparing for discharge.

Discharge from occupational therapy may be appropriate when your child has met their goals, demonstrated sufficient progress to continue developing skills through everyday activities and caregiver support, no longer requires skilled OT services, or when therapy is no longer providing meaningful benefit.

Discharge is something to celebrate! It reflects increased independence, progress, and confidence in the child and family’s ability to carry skills and strategies into daily life. Decisions about changes in frequency or discharge will be discussed collaboratively with families so there is a clear plan for continued success at home, school, and in the community.

Paperwork and what to bring

  • When you schedule an evaluation, you will receive a link to our HIPAA compliant Client Portal in Simple Practice. Once you log in, you can manage everything related to your child's appointments and paperwork in one safe, confidential place that protects your family's medical privacy. Please complete all forms prior to the evaluation.
  • Please bring:
    • Any previous evaluations or reports, including school evaluations or IEP documents
    • Comfortable clothes your child can move in

Do we need a referral or a diagnosis?

No to both. You do not need a referral to book an evaluation with us, and your child does not need a diagnosis. Many of the children we see have no diagnosis at all — an occupational therapy evaluation assesses function, not diagnosis.

Ready to start?

Call 352-552-8909 or send us a message. We will set up a short conversation first to hear what you are seeing and decide together whether an evaluation makes sense.